Transfer of Pesticide Residues from Grapes (Vitis vinifera) into Wine-Correlation with Selected Physicochemical Properties of the Active Substances.

The concentration of pesticide residues in agricultural products at harvest can change during subsequent processing steps. This change, commonly expressed as Processing Factor (PF), is influenced by the raw agricultural commodity, and the processing conditions, as well as the properties of the substances. As it is not possible to conduct processing studies for all possible combinations of pesticide × process × product, new approaches for determining processing factors are needed. Wine was chosen as the object of the present study because it is a widely consumed product. Furthermore, it is already known that the concentration of pesticide residues can change considerably during the processing of grapes into wine, substantiating the need for PFs for a large number of pesticides. The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between selected physicochemical properties and PFs. In addition, the influence of different winemaking processes was explored. For this purpose, 70 processing studies conducted by pesticide manufacturers in the framework of regulatory procedures were evaluated in detail and PFs were derived for 20 pesticides. For wine, a good correlation between the PF and the octanol-water partition coefficient of the substances was found, depending on the specific production methods used. Exemplarily, the coefficient of determination for white wine was 0.85, and 0.81 for red wine, when thermovinification was applied. These results can serve as the basis for a predictive model to be validated further with future winemaking studies for pesticides.

Selective entrainment of gamma subbands by different slow network oscillations.

Theta oscillations (4-12 Hz) are thought to provide a common temporal reference for the exchange of information among distant brain networks. On the other hand, faster gamma-frequency oscillations (30-160 Hz) nested within theta cycles are believed to underlie local information processing. Whether oscillatory coupling between global and local oscillations, as showcased by theta-gamma coupling, is a general coding mechanism remains unknown. Here, we investigated two different patterns of oscillatory network activity, theta and respiration-induced network rhythms, in four brain regions of freely moving mice: olfactory bulb (OB), prelimbic cortex (PLC), parietal cortex (PAC), and dorsal hippocampus [cornu ammonis 1 (CA1)]. We report differential state- and region-specific coupling between the slow large-scale rhythms and superimposed fast oscillations. During awake immobility, all four regions displayed a respiration-entrained rhythm (RR) with decreasing power from OB to CA1, which coupled exclusively to the 80- to 120-Hz gamma subband (γ2). During exploration, when theta activity was prevailing, OB and PLC still showed exclusive coupling of RR with γ2 and no theta-gamma coupling, whereas PAC and CA1 switched to selective coupling of theta with 40- to 80-Hz (γ1) and 120- to 160-Hz (γ3) gamma subbands. Our data illustrate a strong, specific interaction between neuronal activity patterns and respiration. Moreover, our results suggest that the coupling between slow and fast oscillations is a general brain mechanism not limited to the theta rhythm.

Hippocampal Respiration-Driven Rhythm Distinct from Theta Oscillations in Awake Mice.

We have recently described a slow oscillation in the hippocampus of urethane-anesthetized mice, which couples to nasal respiration and is clearly distinct from co-occurring theta oscillations. Here we set out to investigate whether such type of patterned network activity, which we named "hippocampal respiration rhythm" (HRR), also occurs in awake mice. In freely moving mice, instantaneous respiration rate is extremely variable, and respiration is superimposed by bouts of sniffing. To reduce this variability, we clamped the behavior of the animal to either awake immobility or treadmill running by using a head-fixed setup while simultaneously recording respiration and field potentials from the olfactory bulb (OB) and hippocampus. Head-fixed animals often exhibited long periods of steady respiration rate during either immobility or running, which allowed for spectral and coherence analyses with a sufficient frequency resolution to sort apart respiration and theta activities. We could thus demonstrate the existence of HRR in awake animals, namely, a respiration-entrained slow rhythm with highest amplitude at the dentate gyrus. HRR was most prominent during immobility and running with respiration rates slower than theta oscillations. Nevertheless, HRR could also be faster than theta. Discharges of juxtacellularly recorded cells in CA1 and dentate gyrus were modulated by HRR and theta oscillations. Granger directionality analysis revealed that HRR is caused by the OB and that theta oscillations in OB are caused by the hippocampus. Our results suggest that respiration-coupled oscillations aid the exchange of information between olfactory and memory networks. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Olfaction is a major sense in rodents. In consequence, the olfactory bulb (OB) should be able to transmit information to downstream regions. Here we report potential mechanisms underlying such information transfer. We demonstrate the existence of a respiration-entrained rhythm in the hippocampus of awake mice. Frequencies of the hippocampal respiration rhythm (HRR) overlap with classical theta oscillations, but both rhythms are clearly distinct. HRR is most prominent in the dentate gyrus, especially when respiration is slower than theta frequency. Discharges of neurons in CA1 and dentate gyrus are modulated by both HRR and theta. Directionality analysis shows that HRR is caused by the OB. Our results suggest that respiration-coupled oscillations aid the exchange of information between olfactory and memory networks.

Cu3Sn - understanding the systematic absences.

The intermetallic compound Cu3Sn has previously been described as a long-period antiphase boundary superstructure of the Cu3Ti structure type. While the compound itself has been reported as a tenfold and an eightfold superstructure, ternary doped alloys show shorter repetitions. Interestingly, the diffraction patterns of these compounds show non-crystallographic absences that cannot be explained using the superstructure models. Since the compound exhibits phase broadening, these models are not satisfactory because the paucity of observed data does not allow for a refinement of the composition. Here, an alternative, superspace model in the orthorhombic space group Xmcm(0ß0)000 is proposed, with the centering vectors (0,0,0,0) and (½,0,0,½). The presence of the non-crystallographic absences is explained as a result of a dominating occupational modulation that is accompanied by a weaker displacive modulation. In consistency with the EDXS results, the composition has been refined to Cu3 + xSn from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. It is further demonstrated that by varying the length and the direction of the modulation wavevector in the superspace model, the ternary Cu3Sn compounds and other colored hexagonal close packing (h.c.p.) structures can be produced.

Synthesis, structural characterization, and ab initio study of Cu(5+δ)In(2+x)Sb(2-x): a new B8-related structure type.

A new ternary orthorhombic compound with the formula Cu(5+δ)In(2+x)Sb(2-x), crystallizing in the space group Cmc2(1) with 36 atoms per unit cell [a = 10.1813(4) Å, b = 8.4562(4) Å, c = 7.3774(2) Å, Z = 4], has been synthesized by conventional high-temperature methods. The structure is based on the B8 archetype (NiAs/Ni(2)In) and features In/Sb ordering as well as ordering of interstitial copper. Details of the experimental study and the structural parameters of this compound are reported in the first part of the work. In the second part, ab initio calculations based on the density functional theory and the projector augmented-wave method are used to characterize the structural, thermodynamic, and phase-stability properties of the new ternary phase. The present calculations include the lattice parameters, molar volume, bulk modulus and its pressure derivative, the energy of formation from the elements, and the electronic density of states. Moreover, the present ab initio method is used to investigate the thermodynamic properties of the anti-structure Cu(5)Sb(2)In(2) compound obtained by exchanging the In and Sb Wyckoff symmetric positions.

Dumbbells of five-connected silicon atoms and superconductivity in the binary silicides MSi3 (M = Ca, Y, Lu).

The new metastable binary silicides MSi(3) (M = Ca, Y, Lu) have been synthesized by high-pressure, high-temperature reactions at pressures between 12(2) and 15(2) GPa and temperatures from 900(100) to 1400(150) K. The atomic patterns comprise intricate silicon layers of condensed molecule-like Si(2) dimers. The alkaline-earth element adopts the oxidation state +2, while the rare-earth and transition metals realize +3. All of the compounds exhibit BCS-type superconductivity with weak electron-phonon coupling below critical temperatures of up to 7 K.

A basic tool for risk assessment: a new method for the analysis of ergot alkaloids in rye and selected rye products.

As a basis for the collection of occurrence and exposure data of ergot alkaloids in food, an HPLC method coupled with fluorimetric detection (HPLC-FLD) for the determination of 12 pharmacologically active ergot alkaloids in rye and rye products was developed. Samples were extracted with a mixture of ethyl acetate, methanol, and aqueous ammonia, followed by centrifugation and purification by solid phase filtration (SPF) with basic alumina. After solvent adjustment, the samples were analyzed by HPLC-FLD using a phenyl-hexyl-column. Recoveries for five major alkaloids were between 89.3% (ergotamine) and 99.8% (alpha-ergokryptine) with a maximum LOQ of 3.3 microg/kg (ergometrine). Precision expressed as RSD ranged from 2.8% (ergocristine) to 12.4% (alpha-ergokryptine) for repeatability, and from 6.5% (ergocornine) to 14.9% (ergotamine) for within-laboratory reproducibility, respectively. In a survey of 39 rye product samples, ergocristine and ergotamine were found to be the major alkaloids in commercially available rye products with contents of 127 microg/kg (ergocristine), and 134 microg/kg (ergotamine) in rye flour, and 152.5 and 117.8 microg/kg in coarse meal, respectively.

The status of the extracorporeal embryo in German Law*. (Par. II)

En la República Federal Alemana el legislador ha optado por una determinada solución legal en relación a la protección del embrión. Carola Müller describe en este artículo, dicha regulación legal, así como las razones que han conducido para adoptarla. Finalizando con una exposición de la discusión social existente en la sociedad alemana y los efectos que dicha ley ha producido

The legislator, in the German Federal Republic, has opten for a specific legal solution in relation to the protection of the embryo. Carola Müller, in this article, describes this regulation as well as the reasons that have led to its adoption. The article finishes with an exposition of the existing social discussion in German society and the effect that the law has had

The status of the extracorporeal embryo in German Law

En la Républica Federal Alemana el legislador ha optado por una determinada solución legal en relación a la protección del embrión. Carola Müller describe en este artículo, dicha regulación legal, asi como las razones que han conducido para adoptarla. Finalizando con una exposición de la discusión social existente en la sociedad alemana y los efectos que dicha ley ha producido

The legislator, in the German Federal Republic, has opted for a specific legal solution in relation to the protection of the embryo. Carola Müller, in this article, describes this regulation as well as the reasons that have led to its adoption. The article finishes with an exposition of the existing social discussion in German society and the effect that the law has had

The status of the extracorporeal embryo in German Law

En la Républica Federal Alemana el legislador ha optado por una determinada solución legal en relación a la protección del embrión. Carola Müller describe en este artículo, dicha regulación legal, asi como las razones que han conducido para adoptarla. Finalizando con una exposición de la discusión social existente en la sociedad alemana y los efectos que dicha ley ha producido

The legislator, in the German Federal Republic, has opted for a specific legal solution in relation to the protection of the embryo. Carola Müller, in this article, describes this regulation as well as the reasons that have led to its adoption. The article finishes with an exposition of the existing social discussion in German society and the effect that the law has had

Sphingosine kinase activity counteracts ceramide-mediated cell death in human melanoma cells: role of Bcl-2 expression.

While most of the pharmacological therapies for melanoma utilize the apoptotic machinery of the cells, the available therapeutic options are limited due to the ability of melanoma cells to resist programmed cell death. Human melanoma cell lines A-375 and M186 are sensitive to ceramide- and Fas-induced cell death, while Mel-2a and M221 are resistant. We have now found that Mel-2a and M221 cells have a significantly higher ceramide/sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) ratio than A-375 and M186 cells. As sphingosine kinase (SphK) type 1 plays a critical role in determining the dynamic balance between the proapoptotic sphingolipid metabolite ceramide and the prosurvival S1P, we examined its role in apoptosis of melanoma cells. Increasing SphK1 expression reduced the sensitivity of A-375 melanoma cells to Fas- and ceramide-mediated apoptosis. Conversely, downregulation of SphK1 with small interfering RNA decreased the resistance of Mel-2a cells to apoptosis. Importantly, overexpression of the prosurvival protein Bcl-2 in A-375 cells markedly stimulated SphK1 expression and activity, while downregulation of Bcl-2 reduced SphK1 expression. This link between Bcl-2 and SphK1 might be an additional clue to chemotherapy resistance of malignant melanoma.

The status of the extracorporeal embryo in German law (part. II).

The legislator, in the German Federal Republic, has opted for a specific legal solution in relation to the protection of the embryo. Carola Müller, in this article, describes this regulation as well as the reasons that have led to its adoption. The article finishes with an exposition of the existing social discussion in German society and the effect that the law has had.

The status of the extracorporeal embryo in German law (Part I).

The legislator, in the German Federal Republic, has opted for a specific legal solution in relation to the protection of the embryo. Carola Müller, in this article, describes this regulation as well as the reasons that have led to its adoption. The article finishes with an exposition of the existing social discussion in German society and the effect that the law has had.

Expression and regulation of phospholipase D isoenzymes in human melanoma cells and primary melanocytes.

Phospholipase D (PLD) is a highly regulated enzyme involved in lipid-mediated signal transduction processes affecting vesicular trafficking and cytoskeletal reorganization. It is regulated by protein kinase C, adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribosylation factors and Rho family proteins, and both protein kinase C and Rho family proteins have been implicated in the metastatic potential of melanoma. We analysed PLD in four human melanoma cell lines and in primary human melanocytes. Melanoma cell lines showed phosphatidylcholine-hydrolysing, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate-dependent PLD activity, which was activated by phorbol ester and a non-hydrolysable guanosine triphosphate (GTP) analogue in a dose-dependent and synergistic manner, whereas primary melanocytes exhibited only low PLD activity compared with the melanoma cell lines. As determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, both splicing variants of PLD1, PLD1a and PLD1b, and the isoenzyme PLD2, are expressed in melanoma cells and melanocytes. Western blot analysis showed that PLD1 expression was low in primary melanocytes in contrast to melanoma cells, which is in agreement with our finding of low activity. Interestingly, Rho protein mRNA was elevated in all melanoma cell lines. We conclude that in human melanoma cells, the PLD activity that is stimulated by phorbol ester requires ADP-ribosylation factor, protein kinase C and Rho proteins for full activity, and most probably represents the isoenzyme PLD1.